The Tigers will face West Virginia this weekend at 8 p.m. on ESPN2. Here are some of LSU Coach Les Miles' comments about the upcoming game:

On the game against Mississippi State:

"I felt like we improved. We're not there. We're not in any way happy in the position that we're at but we are doing the things that we need to do to ensure victory."

"I just think we're improving. I think our quarterback played better and did the things we asked him to do. I think our special teams could have arguably played better and had a couple returns for touchdowns but I think we're getting better there as well."

"Mo Claiborne intercepts a pass and the greatest effort I saw was Brandon Taylor getting in front of Claiborne to block. ... Sam Montgomery on an interception gets two blocks for his teammate."

"Guys playing for one another, it's pretty special. I enjoy that."

"Any time you have five turnovers ... you should dominate that game. Frankly we scored 7-of-9 positions, really short fields ... If that defense continues to get turnovers, we get extra possessions, our football team will have the kind of year we all look forward to."

On the play of freshman:

"You look at freshman ... you want to look in the program to see who it is and he's making a quality play. That's the way it's supposed to be."

On Drake Nevis:

"Drake Nevis was named the SEC defensive lineman of the week for the second week in the row, and he made one of the most unusual plays, as he would have described it, a 'chocolate chip cookie.' It's hard for me to say 'Drake, that was a heck of an interception.' I think what he did prior to the interception was more athletic. I think what he did with the ball was he caught a chocolate chip cookie."

On West Virginia:

"21st ranked nationally, very well prepared ... they're rushing 180 yards a game ... We'll have to prepare well. It'll be a challenge to our team."

"We don't play these guys. This will be a brand new challenge to us. This will be an out-of-conference, quality opponent, that will again, create a need to be better. ... I think it adds to us as we go forward. I think our team will be better having played, again, another quality opponent."

On Noel Devine:

"I think it will be an interesting matchup. We'll have to play very disciplined and obviously play our blocks well. ... A defense that understands where its help is knows where its supposed to play. ... He's the kind of guy that with a move in a little space can make a lot of space."

"Noel Devine is a tremendous running back...when you look back on the year you'll say one of the best we've played."

On Special Teams:

"I want our best players on special teams. ... Currently some of our best players are our younger players. Tyrann Mathieu made three tackles on kickoffs. What's happened here annually, there's always been that newcomer or three that's stepped into a special teams role and made big plays."

On Patrick Peterson:

"He's the kind of guy who, when he's on the field, just multiples your opportunities for defending and turnovers. ... I think the cramp issue at many times can be anxiety for a first game ... Those things happen. I don't know that we'll expect him to have those from this point forwards. ... I would like to think that we're done with his in-and-out of the game."

On Richard Murphy and Deangelo Peterson

"Both will practice in this game week. Both will practice today."

On the safeties:

"I think Karnell Hatcher made a nice statement in the last week. I think you'll see that we'll rotate those guys pretty routinely."

On quarterback Jordan Jefferson's play:

"That's what he's been doing. For us, at practice, that's how we would expect him to play. That's what he looks like on a regular basis, that's how he looked at practice."

"He's executing. His passes were on the money, he had a nice run for a touchdown."

On the offensive line:

"I think they're progressing. I think they're getting better. ... They're still young, they're gaining momentum. I look forward to seeing what they'll look like in a couple of weeks."

On Josh Jasper:

"He came out and put our first four scores on the board. He kicked off, he pooch punted. He really is doing exactly what this team needs him to do. ... When you have that reputation of, 'Just ask me coach and I'll get it done' ... I have no problem sending him on the field. ... Everybody enjoys him and respects the contribution he makes to this team. We expect for that contribution to be a very significant one throughout this season."

On freshman cornerback Tyrann Mathieu:

"Those guys that interpret football like he does, with speed and aggressiveness, he's going to enjoy playing for a long time. I mean I'm just telling you, we'll look forward to putting him on the field."

On the running backs:

"I think you'll see more of Michael Ford. I keep saying that and I mean it. I'd like to get Ford on the field."